AT&T Long Distance - new billing policy includes about $ 21 in service charges - received a bill totalling $41.74 for a $14.52 phone call

AT&T Long Distance - new billing policy includes about $ 21 in service charges - received a bill totalling $41.74 for a $14.52 phone call

AT&T Long Distance complaint

I am a residential customer that had AT&T long distance even though I rarely use it. My local calling was through Verizon. Starting in January, 2004, AT&T started a new billing policy.

The new policy includes about $21.00 in service charges. I made one long distance call between December 18, 2003 and March 17, 2004. The total charged for the call only was $14.52 ($.22/min which is outragous). I contacted ATT and told the service rep I would pay the charge for the call, the applicable taxes, and even the USF fee ($1.29). I would not however pay their basic rate montly charge of $11.85, or their $5.85 in state connection fee, or their $2.97 assessment fee to help them recover their costs of doing business.

These fees/charges are outragous! I received a bill totalling $41.74 for a $14.52 phone call. AT&T refuses to credit their fees unless I sign up for a calling plan that will cost me $.25/min! I spent well over an hour on the phone with AT&T trying to resolve this. The first 1/2 hour was spent on hold just waiting for 'their next available service rep". I have a cell phone and rarely make long distance calls from home.

I do not want a calling plan for $.25/min when I have free long distance on my cell phone. AT&T's loss of customers is their own fault with billing practices like this! I have filed a From 475 complain with the FCC hoping they can resolve this matter. I also know of at least one other person that received this kind of billing from AT&T, and they never even made a long distance call from home.

Apparently, anyone that has AT&T listed as their carrier will be getting these fees/charges on their bill whether they use the service or not. I would like to see everyone that receives this kind of billing file a complaint against them.

Connie T

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